McKendree boxscore in PDF

Center Max Mischkulnig poured in a career-high 26 points to boost the Maryville men's basketball team in a 79-64 triumph over McKendree in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener. Mischkulnig narrowly missed a double-double as he grabbed nine rebounds for the Saints. The Saints shot 68.2 percent in the second half, hitting 15-of-22 shots after intermission.
 
Trailing 30-29 at halftime, Evan Booker scored inside to push the Saints ahead 31-30, and he followed with another bucket for a three-point lead. The Bearcats scored their first points of the half before Mischkulnig converted two straight shots and a 37-32 cushion. McKendree made one free throw but the Saints scored nine straight points to take a lead they would not surrender. Booker had a three-point play, and Armon Provo sank two free throws. After one at the stripe from Forrester Sims, Mischkulnig scored three straight points for a 46-33 lead at the 14:22 mark.
 
The Bearcats would not let the Saints pull away and scored six unanswered to close to 52-46. Maryville still held a 54-48 lead until Saikou Jallow and Trae Pemberton hit back-to-back buckets for a double-digit lead with seven minutes to play. McKendree made one final push and closed to 61-54 with 5:32 remaining. The Saints finally took control with an 8-0 run. Mischkulnig scored on a layup, and Provo scored in traffic. Mischkulnig hit two free throws and a wing jumper to build a 69-54 lead at the 3:50 mark. The Saints stretched the lead to 21 capped by consecutive 3-pointers by Provo and Booker and cruised to their second straight win.
 
Mischkulnig hit 9-of-16 shots and 7-of-8 at the line en route to his best output in a Saints uniform. In addition to his nine boards, he blocked three shots. Provo added 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Booker finished with 12 points. Jallow handed out six assists to direct the Maryville offense. Matt Holmes paced McKendree with 13 points and 15 rebounds. The Saints finished the game with a 52.9 field goal percentage.
 
The Saints improve to 6-4 overall, 1-0 in the league and dropped the Bearcats to 6-2 overall, 0-1 in the GLVC. Maryville is back at home Sunday as it hosts Illinois Springfield for a 3 p.m. game. There is free admission for everyone attending the game.